How Healthy Is Our Lake?
The Lake Simcoe watershed is an ecosystem under severe stress.
Some of the biggest problems that you may have noticed are:
- Low levels of oxygen in the deep waters of lake, although improving, are threatening the lake trout, whitefish and lake herring. Mature coldwater fish in the lake are stocked, brought into Lake Simcoe from fish hatcheries. For more information: www.lsems.info
- Aquatic plants are growing out of control along much of the shoreline, particularly Cook's bay, further reducing oxygen levels and impacting both humans and wildlife.
- Invasive exotic species which contribute to the problems above and are a nuisance to humans (i.e. zebra mussels that cut your feet and contribute to weed growth)
- Reduced levels of indigenous animal and plant species.
What Does This Mean To You
For those who rely on the Lake for water, it puts a greater strain on your community to ensure safe drinking water. Ask your municipality what it is doing about your drinking water.
For those living on the Lake, it lowers your enjoyment of your property and the Lake with weeds, invasive species, fewer fish, and potentially unsafe swimming waters in some areas.
For everyone in the area an unsafe Lake could mean declining economy, fewer jobs, and lower property values.
What's Happening To Our Lake?